Abstract: A 3-D woven fabric having substantially elongated foam elements integrally formed therein during fabric formation for providing open corridors within the fabric. The fabric is preferably used for structural, stiffener, or component applications.

Abstract: Even weft yarns having low tearing force shall be processible without problems on weaving machines, especially air-jet weaving machines, that are operated in the slow speed running in the first weaving cycle after a weaving machine start. This is achieved according to the invention in that the weft thread (3) inserted into a loom shed (4) in the first weaving cycle after a weaving machine start is bound by separate binding threads (8) temporally before the binding by the warp threads (2), and in that the binding by the binding threads (8) occurs spatially at at least one position of the loom shed (4) after its inlet.

Abstract: Device for locking the connection of a heddle (40) to a harness cord (50), having a heddle side and a harness cord side. The device is composed of at most two different components, the device having a diameter on the heddle side and/or on the harness cord side which decreases towards the end. The device is releasable and recloseable, allowing the device to be reused. The components are made from a plastics material which has a high wear resistance. The device is provided over virtually its entire length with a continuous passage (4) for guiding a heddle and a harness cord.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a fabric and an apparatus for manufacturing a fabric that enable weaving of weak fibers including monofilaments of noble metal such as 24-carat gold.

Abstract: Thread clamping arrangement for a carrier gripper of a rapier loom wherein the arrangement includes a rigid support coupled to a lateral wall of a body of the carrier gripper. Each of an elongated first clamping element and an elongated second clamping element are provided. A clamping gap is formed by the first and second clamping elements. A magnet is included that exerts an attracting force on each of the first and second clamping elements.

Abstract: In a weaving machine, the shuttles of the weaving machine are transferred over and across the warp threads of the machine. The method and apparatus have the object of preventing factors which adversely affect the weave result from occurring at high shuttle speeds. One or more air or gas streams (flows) are conveyed from the undersides of the warp threads and upwardly via the warp threads to their upper sides. With the upwardly conveyed air or gas stream, each shuttle is given a lifting movement which prevents burn damages, deformations and wearing of the warp threads due to a high shuttle speed.

Abstract: A mechanical loom including a shooting device for shooting a shuttle into the shed from an initial position into a receiving position at a transfer device. The shuttle is connected through a flexible return element to a return member of a return device, so that the shuttle can be returned into the initial position and, simultaneously, a weft thread can be pulled into the shed. The return device includes a release device which releases the return element from the return member when the shuttle has reached the initial position. The mechanical loom is of simple construction and low weight. The weft thread is pulled into the shed in a careful manner, so that the weaving machine has a high efficiency.

Abstract: A weaving machine has a continuous line of heddles 9 defining a shed and undulating means 8 for traversing the shed along the line as a wave 12, 13 and moving a weft-inserting means 15 in synchronism therewith from the inlet 17 to the outlet 18 ends of the line. The inserting means 15 are traversed from the outlet to the inlet ends by means (e.g. a driven chain 26) which carries them through loading stations 25 where they receive sufficient thread for one weft pass.

Abstract: In a loom having a weft thread supply spool at each side thereof and a shuttle whereby thread from each spool is alternately carried across the shed as a U-shaped loop, improved thread guide elements, one on each end of the batten, are actuated in consequence of movement of the batten through each of its reversal positions, at one of which the batten engages the last-laid weft thread to beat up the same and at the other of which the batten begins its return for another beating-up while the shuttle moves through the shed. Each thread guide element comprises a member mounted on the batten for bodily movement therewith and for rocking movement relative thereto. Each such member rocks between a first position wherein a thread eye thereon is located to dispose weft thread extending from its adjacent spool across the shuttle path and a second position wherein the thread eye holds the thread clear of that path.

Abstract: A shuttleless loom comprises a weft thread carrier throwing device and a recovering device, and provides for a substantial halting of each of the weft thread carriers prior to the throwing thereof. The throwing device includes a rotary member set for substantially continuous rotation and cooperating with a fixed casing to define an open throwing track for the weft thread carriers. An accumulator chamber is located substantially adjacent to the inlet end of the weft thread carrier throwing device and is operative to temporarily withhold each weft thread carrier supplied by the recovering device. A feeder is located substantially between the accumulator chamber and the open throwing track and is operative to insert the weft thread carriers one by one from the chamber into the track.

Abstract: A projectile launching and receiving apparatus for a pneumatic loom which includes a bore for receiving the projectile, a pneumatic launching chamber connected to the bore which is pressurized for launching the projectile, a passageway for guiding filling yarn from an outer opening to the bore, and valve means for blocking the passageway between the opening and pressure chamber to prevent filling yarn from being blown toward the outer opening.

Abstract: A weft thread carrier is disclosed for a loom with a weft thread supply at each side thereof and wherein the carrier, just before entering the shed, engages a weft thread segment that it draws into a loop while moving in the shed. Each weft thread segment extends across the carrier path obliquely to that path, from its supply through a fixed thread eye to the selvedge. The carrier has a hook projecting towards each of its ends, each capable of catching a weft thread segment, but it also has a deflecting surface for each hook, so arranged in relation to its hook that it deflects a thread segment away from the hook if the segment is at one oblique angle to the carrier path but permits the hook to engage a segment at the opposite oblique angle. Hence, as the carrier emerges from each side of the shed it merely deflects the thread segment across its path, but in moving towards the shed its then-forward hook engages the same segment.

Abstract: A shuttleless loom of the type having unidirectional weft thread carriers, comprising a device for throwing at least one said carrier, the device including a guide defining a closed path one portion of which passes through the shed and another returns below the shed. The guide also includes two arcuate portions at opposite sides of the loom and a circular guide portion substantially tangent to the carrier throwing path. Within the circular guide portion there is rotatably arranged a flywheel provided with an entraining member for the carriers. There is further provided a door which is controlled to throw out of the circular guide portion the carriers after they have made at least one complete revolution within the circular guide portion. The carriers are of substantially cylindrical configuration and adapted to accommodate circumferentially the weft thread as positioned at the exit of the circular guide portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the carrier axis.

Abstract: A pneumatic weft insertion system in which means are provided for inserting up to an entire length of a weft pick from an outside weft storage, the weft being stored within an open projectile shell prior to insertion. The system involves unidirectionally pneumatically propelling the projectile and weft filling into and through a warp shed and guiding the projectile by an externally provided air cushion.